Hot Well Dunes

{{Short description|Thermal spring}}

{{Infobox spring

| name = Hot Well Dunes

| other_name = Hotwell Dunes Hot Springs

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| map = Arizona

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| location = within Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area

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| elevation = 3,450 feet

| coordinates = {{coord|32|31|24|N|109|25|35|W|display=inline, title}}

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| hot_spring_type = geothermal

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| discharge = 200 gallons per minute

| temperature = 106°F

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Hot Well Dunes is a hot spring in the San Simeon Valley of Arizona, located on BLM land southeast of the town of Safford.{{cite book |last1=Gersh-Young |first1=Marjorie |title=Hot Springs and Hot Pools in the Southwest |date=2011 |publisher=Aqua Thermal |location=Santa Cruz, California |isbn=978-1-890880-09-5 |page=134}}

Description

Hot Well Dunes are a series of artesian hot spring wells that are surrounded by 2000 acres of open BLM land. Camping is permitted at the site for a maximum stay of two weeks.{{cite web |title=Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area |url=https://www.blm.gov/visit/hot-well-dunes |website=Bureau of Land Management |publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior |access-date=1 December 2022}} There are two main soaking pools surrounded by a low metal fence and gate, cement benches; pit toilets are available on site.{{cite web |title=Hot Well Dunes |url=https://www.ultimatehotspringsguide.com/hot-well-dunes-hot-springs.html |website=Ultimate Hot Springs Guide |access-date=1 December 2022}} The two main pools overflow into a large rock-lined pool, the temperature is lukewarm. The site is surrounded by desert views. There is no trash pick-up at the site, and all trash must be removed by visitors to the hot springs.{{cite book |last1=Hull |first1=Tim |title=Moon Arizona and the Grand Canyon |date=2018 |publisher=Avalon publishing |isbn=9781631218828 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6jI4DwAAQBAJ |access-date=21 December 2022}} There are also more primitive soaking areas on-site surrounded by cattails that also provide habitat for wildlife and fish.{{cite book |last1=Bischoff |first1=Matt C. |title=Touring Hot Springs Arizona The State's Best Resorts and Rustic Soaks |date=2019 |publisher=Falcon Guides |isbn=9781493041824 |pages=23, 27–29 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ma6hDwAAQBAJ |access-date=21 December 2022}}

Location

Hot Well Dunes are located on BLM land in a remote location the San Simon Valley, far away from any cities or towns.

History

The hot springs were discovered in the late 1920s in this remote area as a during an oil exploration drilling operation. Remnants of the rusted drilling equipment can still be found in the area.

Water profile

The geothermally heated mineral water emerges from the source at a temperature of 106 °F at a rate of 250 gallons per minute.{{cite web |title=Hot Well Dunes |url=https://www.desertusa.com/OHV/du_ohv_hotwell.html |website=Desert USA |access-date=1 December 2022}}

References

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